OKLAHOMA CITY— Every sailor's story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Lincicome, this story began in Zion, Illinois, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy.
“I learned growing up the importance of working hard and doing my best at everything,” Lincicome said.
Lincicome graduated from Zion Benton Township in 2017.
Lincicome joined the Navy seven years ago.
“My best friend's father and mother were both Navy chiefs, and hanging out with them inspired me to explore a Navy career,” Lincicome said. "Their names are Paul and Amanda Norrish, and their son's name is Joseph."
Today, Lincicome serves as a construction mechanic in Oklahoma City. Lincicome supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
The TACAMO mission originated in 1961 when a Marine Corps aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system. Once the test was successful, funding for the program was granted, and it has continued to grow ever since.
The U.S. Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Lincicome has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of being meritoriously advanced to my current rank of petty officer first class,” Lincicome said.
Lincicome serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Our service in the Navy helps ensure that the United States can continue being a free country,” Lincicome said.
Lincicome is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank all my family for helping me get to where I am today,” Lincicome added.